Audiobooks are popular sez LJ, what's your experience?
A recent article in Library Journal:
AUDIO FIXATION. (cover story) By: Kaye, Alan L.. Library Journal, 5/15/2008, Vol. 133 Issue 9, p34-37, 4p, 2c;
Full text available to Alaskans at http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=32071086&site=ehost-live.
Notes that the national demand for audio books is growing, although formats are shifting:
The article reports that library acquisition of audiobooks are driven by patrons. And they seem to be using them. In 2006, the APA found that 50% of people who listened to an audiobook borrowed the audiobook from a library.
What's your experience? Does your library offer audiobooks? If so, what formats do you offer? How are patrons receiving them?
AUDIO FIXATION. (cover story) By: Kaye, Alan L.. Library Journal, 5/15/2008, Vol. 133 Issue 9, p34-37, 4p, 2c;
Full text available to Alaskans at http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=32071086&site=ehost-live.
Notes that the national demand for audio books is growing, although formats are shifting:
A 2007 sales survey provided by the Audio Publisher's Association (APA) highlights the increasing market hunger for aural entertainment and information. In 2006, audiobook sales rose six percent to a record $923 million. Seventy-seven percent of sales was for CDs, a far cry from 45 percent in 2003. Fourteen percent was in downloads, up from nine percent in 2005. Seven percent of sales remains in cassettes, less than half of its 2005 figure, and one percent was in MP3-CDs. Adults account for 87 percent of direct sales. Sales to libraries are growing and are slightly ahead of retail sales, representing 32 percent of sales ($295 million) versus retail's 30 percent. Unabridged audiobooks represent 71 percent of total sales, and fiction represents 69 percent. Sales data for 2007 is being gathered for the 2008 report, and APA plans to do sales surveys annually.
The article reports that library acquisition of audiobooks are driven by patrons. And they seem to be using them. In 2006, the APA found that 50% of people who listened to an audiobook borrowed the audiobook from a library.
What's your experience? Does your library offer audiobooks? If so, what formats do you offer? How are patrons receiving them?
Labels: audiobooks, collection development, trends
posted by Daniel at 7:30 AM
2 Comments:
While we here in Seldovia don't have a lot of patrons (proportionately) checking out audiobooks, those who do check them out tend to check out a lot of them. They're popular, according to comments made at the checkout desk, for listening to while doing other, non-brain-demanding tasks, like handwork or cleaning or exercising. We also see a fair amount of circulation to those wanting a little entertainment during the long drive up to Anchorage and back.
Because the audiobook users we have tend to be avid users, it's hard to stay out in front of them with new titles. Bought new, they're kinda pricey for our limited budget, and our director isn't really into shopping for them used. We mostly rely on donations. Just recently, a donor has turned up who buys them cheap on eBay, listens to them once and then brings them to us. Sweet!
"Just recently, a donor has turned up who buys them cheap on eBay, listens to them once and then brings them to us. Sweet!"
Sweet indeed! Does the donor tend to buy CDs or cassettes? Either way it seems like a win for you, your donor and your patrons. Thanks for sharing!
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